Chapter 6 – Briony’s Return

Gideon was in a foul mood.

Seated in the chilly drawing room, he read and reread the letter sent by Earl Dalmore. He had already read it countless times the day it arrived, so the paper was now thoroughly creased.

[Dear Lord Gideon Arlington]

The letter began with that phrase.

[I am sorry to bring you such unwelcome news after so long. Briony and I have decided to end our three-year marriage and divorce. The responsibility for this decision lies entirely with me, and Briony bears no fault. I humbly ask that you do not blame her, nor speak ill of her to anyone, including herself. I will accept any criticism directed at me. I sincerely hope Briony will soon meet someone better and live happily.

Also, I wish to return the dowry sent from the Arlington Family as alimony, so please appoint a lawyer and contact me. I will process this as quickly as possible.

Lord of Ebony, Keith Dalmore]

“Divorce, huh.”

He had been muttering those words for two weeks. Whether working or dining, he would occasionally repeat them. It had been a marriage that cost a fortune, not just the dowry but also preparing his daughter for her society debut and other expenses.

Even if Her Majesty the Queen herself married, she couldn’t have spent more. But he had always believed it was an investment worth making. Forming a connection with an Earldom was a tremendous honor for a mere baronet, and it provided a stepping stone to approach other noble families and even the royal family.

But all of that had come to nothing.

It was because of Briony, that useless daughter.

The Earl had asked in his letter not to blame Briony. But if it wasn’t her fault, whose fault was it? The Earl was a fine man, except for his lack of money. His family was distinguished, and his appearance was respectable. For some families, this was a matter of life and death, so the businesslike tone of the letter was somewhat irritating, but given his noble status, Gideon could tolerate it. By any measure, Keith was more than Briony deserved.

‘So stiff, just like her mother…’

Gideon was frustrated.

No doubt she had failed to fulfill her wifely duties and had been cast aside. Briony lacked charm and, moreover, could never be expected to please a man with coquettish behavior.

Still, he had sent a hefty dowry to an Earl’s family on the verge of bankruptcy, and his daughter had never been touched by a man, so he thought the Earl would be satisfied. If he wasn’t, he could always take a mistress. After Briony’s birth mother died in childbirth, Gideon had changed women several times. A man keeping one or two mistresses—Briony should have been used to that by now.

‘How am I supposed to save face?’

The Earl had suggested returning the entire dowry as alimony. The dowry was originally for marriage, and there was no law requiring its return upon divorce. But Gideon saw no reason to refuse the Earl’s offer, so he looked for precedents.

In the case of alimony using the dowry, if the divorce was mutual, half was usually returned; there was one such court ruling. But Briony was already twenty-three. She had married as soon as she came of age, so the young Earl had already enjoyed all he could as a husband.

From a father’s perspective, it was as if he’d lost a valuable asset. So he insisted on getting the entire dowry back. He thought most of the money would have been spent on estate repairs or paying off debts, but surprisingly, the Earl sent it all back promptly.

‘If I’d known, I might have asked for more.’

Gideon felt bitter. He vaguely worried that accepting it so readily would spread rumors throughout society, and no one would want to form an alliance with a Baronet’s family next time.

“Master.”

The old butler appeared at the door.

“Demoiselle Briony will be arriving soon.”

The Arlington Baronet’s mansion, Teary Haven, was located on a hill overlooking Shovary. As soon as his wife and the detestable previous Baronet couple died, Gideon had expanded the building. There was no mansion in Shovary or the neighboring estates that rivaled Teary Haven’s grandeur. The butler had spotted a carriage approaching from the foot of the hill and came to report it.

“She’s come quickly.”

Even with a mutual divorce, dividing property and settling affairs usually took over a month. But for the Dalmore couple, all that needed dividing was Briony’s luggage, and the alimony issue was settled cleanly thanks to Gideon’s clear request. The fact that Earl Dalmore worked at the High Court must have helped expedite the process.

“Shall I light a fire?”

The butler asked nervously.

“What for? She’ll go straight to her room anyway.”

“She must have traveled for days by carriage. She’ll be tired and hungry…”

“If she has the energy to eat after being cast aside, let her help herself. Just open the door when she arrives.”

“What about the carriage fare?”

Gideon hadn’t sent a carriage for Briony. He figured the Earl’s family should handle such things.

“Do I have to worry about that too?”

“Sorry, Sir.”

The butler bowed repeatedly.

Gideon walked to the window and drew back the curtain. From beyond the darkness, a faint lantern flickered, drawing nearer. Hm, he mused, letting out a strange sigh.

He gave instructions to the still-bowing butler.

“Light the front hall. I’ll greet her myself.”

* * *

Her whole body ached as if beaten with a hammer.

Shovary was a place that took three days of rough mountain roads to reach, so she had sat for a long time in a violently shaking carriage. She couldn’t speak for fear of biting her tongue, so she hadn’t spoken much with Myrtle.

The gatekeeper recognized Briony and opened the door, and their party soon reached the entrance of Teary Haven.

“You’ve arrived.”

Dmitri opened the carriage door.

Even after a week on the coachman’s seat, his attire was only slightly disheveled, and his demeanor remained flawless. Briony, supported by him, stepped onto the ground with trembling legs.

“Where should I park the carriage, Sir?”

The unfamiliar coachman was someone Dmitri had found at their first stop, paid ten days’ wages, and hired. He did know the local area well, but his driving was far too rough. Myrtle also climbed down, legs shaking.

“We’ll head down to Shovary town.”

Dmitri gave the command with the skill of a noble, then turned back to Briony in a polite tone.

“You must be tired, Madam. Miss Meyer. Now that you’ve returned home, please rest well.”

“It’s late, and how will you find a place to stay in Shovary? The rooms will be ready soon, so spend the night here.”

He shook his head.

“I am a servant of the Dalmore Earldom. I wouldn’t be welcome here.”

“But—”

“And Lord Ebony will need me.”

Those words brought Briony back to cold reality.

A search warrant from Her Majesty the Queen had been issued for Keith. What was happening at Ebony Heights now?

‘Is he… is Keith safe?’

Even the reliable butler had left Ebony to bring her here, so now there was no one to care for Keith.

Just then, footsteps sounded beyond the front door, and as it opened, two familiar figures appeared: her father, Lord Gideon Arlington, and the butler, Harold.

Briony was surprised. She hadn’t expected her father to greet her in person. She forced her aching knees to bend in greeting.

“Hello, Father.”

“Hello, Master.”

Gideon looked down coldly at his daughter and her maid, nodding curtly. Briony was used to such treatment and didn’t feel hurt. Dmitri then introduced himself.

“It’s been a while, Lord Gideon Arlington. I am Dmitri Wharton, who escorted Demoiselle Arlington.”

“Wharton?”

“Lord Ebony’s butler.”

“Ah.”

Gideon turned away. Butler Harold awkwardly offered a heavy-looking pouch to Dmitri.

“Thank you, but I was only following Lord Ebony’s orders. You needn’t pay me.”

As soon as he spoke, Gideon told the butler, “Put it away.” That meant if he wouldn’t accept it, just go away.

Dmitri quickly bowed again.

“Lord Ebony asked me to convey his sincere gratitude for your deep understanding, Lord Gideon Arlington. May the Arlington Family be blessed.”

“Give my regards to Lord Ebony.”

With the formalities done, Dmitri looked at Briony with the familiar, respectful, and concerned expression she knew well.

“It was an honor to serve you, Madam.”

“Thank you for your loyalty, Dmitri. And to Lord Ebony…”

What should she say to Keith? Briony couldn’t think of anything.

‘Thank you for helping me escape this dreadful house for three years?

That I hadn’t wanted to give up life at Ebony?’

Dmitri looked sad.

“I’ll let Lord Ebony know that you have arrived safely at the Arlington Family. …Above all, he’ll be worried for your safety.”

“Briony, how long will you keep your father standing outside?”

Gideon asked. Dmitri quickly bid Myrtle farewell, then climbed into the carriage himself. The coachman expertly turned the horses.

Once again, Briony could only watch Dmitri leave. The feelings swirling in her heart were different from when she left Ebony Heights. Now, once the Dalmore butler descended this hill, there would be nothing left in the world connecting her to Keith.

But Gideon didn’t allow her time for sentiment.

“Come inside now.”

Briony and Myrtle silently obeyed. At Teary Haven, Gideon’s word was law. As they entered, a chill swept over them. The air outside was fresh, but inside it was damp and heavy, making her lungs shrink with every breath. She shivered.

With Briony still in the lobby, Gideon asked,

“How are you feeling?”

“A bit tired, but I’m fine.”

What was with her father?

Briony felt uneasy. Greeting her in person, asking about her health—this was utterly unlike him. In fact, she’d worried he might not even open the door. The fact that the marriage he’d worked so hard to arrange had ended after three years was, to him, an unforgivable failure.

Gideon looked her up and down.

“Did Earl Dalmore treat you well?”

“He did his best for me.”

He clicked his tongue.

“Foolish. I meant, did you satisfy him properly?”

Briony finally understood what her father was getting at. It wasn’t something to ask his daughter in front of the butler and maid. In fact, it was absurd to ask his daughter at all.

She avoided his gaze, bowed her head, and replied quickly,

“…I don’t think this is an appropriate topic here.”

“Inappropriate topic?”

Suddenly, Gideon grabbed Briony’s shoulders with both hands. It was a rough grip. More shocking than painful, she could only struggle not to cry out.

Though over fifty, Gideon was robust and sturdy. His thick hands shook his daughter’s frail shoulders violently. Myrtle and even the butler dared not intervene. He growled,

“Since you still don’t understand, let me make your situation clear. You’re just a pretty country girl with not a penny to your name. Now you’re branded a divorcee. To recover, you need to prove you’re not defective as a woman, don’t you think?”

It was pointless to resist, so Briony did not. She didn’t cry. She was only surprised to be treated like this after three years—it had been the same when she was younger. He was violent, capricious, and vulgar.

She feared her only family deeply, and at the same time, she despised him. That feeling grew quietly colder within her as she matured, becoming a silent rebellion. Never having cried out of self-pity was the source of Briony’s only pride. She had never shared this with anyone.

“You’re insulting me right now, Father.”

“Insulting a daughter is a father’s right. How long since you slept with Earl Dalmore?”

Briony refused to answer. She just breathed deeply, paused, and exhaled. She knew her father did this partly out of curiosity, partly for the pleasure of humiliating her. If he’d only been curious, he could have called her to his study, not asked in front of others.

“Any chance you’re pregnant?”

“……”

“At least you consummated the marriage?”

Once, the consummation had been a law and custom so absolute that every noblewoman had to show proof of it to the King, the head of the nobility. But that was more than a hundred years ago and didn’t apply to Briony at all. On their wedding night, Keith had only kissed the back of her hand dryly and said, “Good night,” before heading to his own room.

‘If the staff saw, it would ruin the Earl’s reputation…’

She’d tried to persuade him not to sneak off like a runaway lover on their wedding night. ‘At least sleep beside me,’ she’d urged, but he was still too much a stranger.

Keith had just smiled.

‘Did you see the state of this house? Reputation was sold off long ago. And please, call me Keith.’

‘Still…’

‘If someone sees, I’ll make up a good story. I’ll never let it be blamed on you.’

Briony had worried not for her own reputation, but for his. Yet even on the day she signed the divorce papers and left Ebony Heights, Keith did all he could to protect her dignity.

…So different from her father, who insulted her within ten minutes of her arrival.

Her throat burned. Briony swallowed and forced out each word.

“…Ask Lord Ebony.”

“You useless thing.”

Gideon let her go. If Myrtle hadn’t rushed to catch her, she would have fallen. The poor girl already had tears streaming down one cheek, but she couldn’t even think to wipe them away.

“Stay out of my sight and don’t leave your room for the time being.”

Gideon turned and left. Harold, flustered, looked between his master and Briony, then hurried after Gideon at his uncomfortable cough.

“Demoiselle, are you all right? I’ll heat some bathwater for you.”

Myrtle dabbed at her tears with her sleeve as she spoke.

Briony only nodded.